Four Fitz sailors guilty at NJP

Four sailors, including the former executive officer (XO) and command master chief (CMDCM) of the destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), currently undergoing repairs at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., have been found guilty at non-judicial punishment (NJP) hearings for dereliction of duty. Fitz and USS John S. McCain were involved in separate deadly collisions last summer. The Navy has also set preliminary hearing dates on more serious charges. Fitz XO Cmdr. Sean Babbitt and CMDCM Brice got letters of reprimand at NJP on Jan. 25. One additional Fitz officer was found guilty of dereliction and reprimanded, while another had a finding of guilt set aside based on review. For USS McCain, an enlisted sailor was found guilty of dereliction of duty and received a punitive letter of reprimand, forfeiture of half pay for two months, and demotion by a pay grade. The pay forfeiture and demotion were suspended for six months. NJP charges against another McCain officer and enlisted sailors were dismissed. Article 32 preliminary hearings for both commanding officers (COs), and three additional officers from the Fitz, have been set for early March. McCain CO, Cmdr. Alfredo Sanchez, faces charges of dereliction of duty, hazarding a vessel, and negligent homicide. Fitz CO Bryce Benson and XO Cmdr. Jessie Sanchez were relieved of duty in October. The McCain CO will have an Article 32 hearing March 6. Fitz CO’s hearing is March 7; a joint hearing for three additional Fitz officers, including two lieutenants and a lieutenant junior grade, has been set for March 8. The last time the Navy sent a ship's CO to court-martial was 1989. (Source: Military.com 02/01/18)